POLL: How Many Reps Do You Get?

I'm lucky in that I seem to be able to get a feel of how a game will play from reading the rules. I know many do not and need to play, preferably alongside someone much more familiar with the system.
This "ability" of mine falls apart if much of the system is contained on cards drawn during play rather than a rulebook.
I believe that playing games passes through 3 stages:
1. Learning the rules
2. Playing the rules
3. Playing your opponent
Each phase can vary in length of time/number of plays by player and/or rule system